WP LIVESTOCK REPORT HOGS STEADY U.S. hog prices held up well despite falling pork prices. Slaughter increased a little to make up for Nov. 11 closures. Iowa-southern Minnesota cash hogs delivered to plants closed at $66 US per hundredweight Nov. 4, steady with Oct. 28. The cash U.S. pork carcass cut-out value closed at $92.04, […] Read more
News
Western Producer Livestock Report – for Nov. 10, 2011
Auctioneer wins spot in world championship
Mitch Barthel guaranteed himself a spot in next summer’s World Livestock Auctioneer Championship by winning a qualifying contest in Dickinson, North Dakota, Oct. 20. The 36-year-old from New York Mills, Minnesota, has worked as an auctioneer for 20 years. He will join reigning champion Rod Burnett of Armstrong, B.C., at the June 16 event in […] Read more
Barley takes quick action when disease begins attack
Quick reflexes aren’t generally associated with field crops, but new research indicates barley combats disease invaders within as little as five minutes of an attack. The discovery gives researchers new information that they hope will lead to development of long-term durable plant resistance to disease. Andy Kleinhofs, a plant geneticist and professor of crop and […] Read more
Meatless Monday
Re: Meatless Monday initiative won’t affect global warming, WP Oct. 13. Your editorial dismissing the Meatless Monday initiative will be a great help to those in the livestock industry who like keeping their heads comfortably in the sand. However, you do a disservice to producers who may want to better understand future consumer attitudes informed […] Read more
Canfax Report – for Nov. 10, 2011
FED CATTLE HIGHER A weaker loonie and stronger Chicago fed cattle futures helped lift Canadian fed cattle prices. Support also came from higher cattle prices in the northern United States. There is strong demand for Choice cattle partly because Walmart grocery operations are adding Choice to their store shelves and northern cattle are more likely […] Read more
Ducks Unlimited recognizes winter wheat researcher
Ducks Unlimited Canada has recognized Brian Fowler of the University of Saskatchewan for his winter wheat research. Fowler’s research not only led to a resurgence of the crop, but the varieties he developed have dominated winter wheat acreage on the Prairies for more than 10 years. The varieties produced in Fowler’s program have provided nesting […] Read more
Fake cow joins staff
RED DEER — A simulated cow will soon add to the learning experience for Olds College students. Lucy, a bovine simulator complete with a calf named Lou, was unveiled to staff and students during the Cattleman’s College educational series. Dean of agriculture Tanya McDonald said the lifelike, anatomically correct machine will give students in the […] Read more
Lake Winnipeg first
Re: Man. agriculture economy in hands of elected officials (WP Editorial, Oct. 20) It’s a terrible shame and insulting that the Manitoba Pork Council and the hog producing industry can only whine when decisive action is finally being taken by the province to protect our most important and vital resource — water, and particularly, Lake […] Read more
Scholarships aimed at 4-h members
CIBC and 4-H Canada have announced the CIBC 4-H postsecondary education scholarship. It consists of three annual scholarships valued at $2,500 per year for two years, starting in 2012. Eligible 4-H members can apply through the 4-H Canada website by Dec. 5.
Aussie looks north for farm workers
For university students, trying to strike a balance between the need to earn money and the desire to travel abroad can be difficult. A working vacation program could offer a way for students to do both. Andrew Coldbeck, owner of The Job Shop in Western Australia, is visiting the Canadian Prairies hoping to find students […] Read more
